Reactive polymers for solid phase extraction

An apparatus comprises a solid phase extraction (SPE) carrier loaded with a polymer having functional monomers for binding an analyte, wherein the polymer is a reactive polymer such that, in use, the reactive polymer binds an analyte having a primary amino group, causing fluorescent isoindole complex formation. Preferably, the reactive polymer comprises ophthaldialdehyde and allyl thiol and further includes ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as a cross-linker and 1,1'-azobis(cyclohexanecarbonitrile) as an initiator. The reactive polymer may be prepared from a monomer mixture comprising acetonitrile and triethylamine. The apparatus is particularly suitable for adsorbing DNA, fumonisin B1, Atenolol, Abacavir glutarate, vitamin B1 and bovine serum albumin (BSA). The apparatus may also comprise a Toximet-T instrument and/or transilluminator. A method of analysing a sample comprising the steps of: providing an SPE carrier, such as an SPE cartridge, loaded with a reactive polymer, the reactive polymer being suitable for binding an analyte having a primary amino group, such that binding results in fluorescent isoindole complex formation; applying the sample to the reactive polymer; and detecting any change in fluorescence emission.